Electrocatalytic oxidation and determination of antibiotic in pharmaceutical samples on a nanostructure

A copper hexacyanoferrate nanostructure was prepared on the surface of a disposable pencil graphite electrode. The copper hexacyanoferrate nanostructures showed a pair of symmetric voltammetric peaks at 0.67 V/SCE. An electrochemical comparative characterization between copper hexacyanoferrate nano and bulk structures was presented. The transfer coefficient (α) and apparent charge rate constant (Ks) were evaluated for each of copper hexacyanoferrate nano and bulk structures. The resulting electrode exhibits an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of ceftriaxone sodium. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were employed to characterize the response to ceftriaxone sodium that changes linearly in the concentration range from 2 to 72 μM, with a detection limit of 0.54 μM (at a signal to noise ratio of 3). Typical features of the sensor include low cost, simple preparation, fast response, good stability, selectivity, and reproducibility. It was applied to the determination of ceftriaxone sodium in pharmaceutical samples. All results obtained were compared to the recommended procedure by British Pharmacopeia.